Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Let’s Make a Leather Bag

Hi Guys! I’m trying something a little different today.  We are going to make a leather bag.  I was looking around the Fabric Mart website for fabric for my next project and I came across Sue’s Pick.  The fabric choice for that day was this gorgeous black leather fabric. The best part was that the leather was only $20 a piece.  When I received it at home, I couldn’t believe how soft the leather was. I was in love.


First, we are going to make the pattern and then we’ll sew it up.  You are going to need a ruler, pencil, and scissors to draft the pattern.

Purse Pattern

Main Pattern Piece – Cut 2

1. Make a 14 x 16 rectangle.  

2. At the bottom of this pattern piece, you will cut a 2 x 2 square on each side.

3. At the top of this pattern piece, measure in 1” on each side and then measure from that point down to the corner of the cut-out square at the bottom. Cut that piece off.

Pocket Piece – Cut 1

4. Make a 7 x 10 square.

5. Go in ½” at the top and go down 3” on each side. Cut that section off.

Straps – Cut 2

6. Make a 2” x 32” rectangle. 

Cut all your pattern pieces and let’s sew!

Select one of your main pattern pieces to make it the front.  Find the center of your front pattern piece and edge your pocket piece leaving the top open.  Sewn down the middle of your pocket piece to make 2 pocket openings if you like.

With right sides together, use clips to hold your pattern pieces together and sew the 2 sides and the bottom using ¼” seam allowance.



Pin together the bottom corners and sew at ¼” seam allowance.

Turn your bag right side out.

Take your straps and fold them in half and edge stitch down the 2 long sides of the strap or you can glue them closed.  Mark 2 inches at the bottom of each strap and attach it the sides of the bag.  I used glue.

You are all done! You just made a leather bag.



How do you think I did?  I hope you like my bag just as much as I do.  Let me know if you ever get around to making this bag and make sure you keep your eye out on the Fabric Mart site for amazing deals.

Until next time!

JOHANNA @soveryjo  


Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: LEATHER.

Comments

  1. This is great!!! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Jazz. You inspired me to make a leather bag!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! I love the bag and the shape of it and of the outside pocket. I think it gives it some “personality.” What type of glue did you use to attach the straps? Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fabulous bag. This is the first time I recall a Fabricista sew something with Fabric Mart leather. I have purchased so many garment weight leather skins, both smooth and hair on (shearling etc.) from FM over the years. They are always great quality, unique textures and colors, and when they are on sale, the heck with my budget.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

Hi everyone!  I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves.  To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend.  One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet?  But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now.  I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it.  When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect.  I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration.   I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications.  Instead of...

Made By A Fabricista: A Wool Pinafore for Winter

Hello exciting wintry weather! Brrr, though. For my December post, I wanted to sew something more unusual for me, something outside my wide leg pants and big boxy sweaters, and this pinafore combination is exactly that. I really like the layering aspect and how easily one could switch up the look based on the top worn underneath, and how this pinafore pattern could easily work for all seasons based on fabric choice and possibly adding leggings. The new Love Notions Pianoforte Jumper in this incredibly charming polka dot wool blend suiting is just right. I wanted wool for warmth, and the sweet print just sent me. Of course a pinafore looks SO darling in dots. The Pianoforte is a slightly-cocoon shaped dress with princess seams and some large and handy front inset pockets. There is a zip-front option, but I went with the pullover plain front. I love the vintagey, sort of old-timey vibes of this style, and categorize this one under dopamine dressing.  Because the wool is on the heavi...

Made By A Fabricista: Cozy Sewing Season

The cozy sewing season seems like it came early this year! Temperatures in Pennsylvania have been in the freezing range for weeks, so it is time to break out the flannel, sweater knits, sherpa, wool, and other warm fabrics. Fabric Mart's website is stocked with gorgeous cozy fabric perfect for sewists living in cold climates. While searching for fabric for my first cozy sew of the season, a Cranberry Plaid 100% Cotton Flannel fabric caught my eye. I loved the colors and the plaid pattern. I ordered 3.5 yards to make a button-up flannel shirt for myself, and a little extra fabric to make a button-up shirt for my son. I also ordered two packs of 10 Soft Pearl Plastic Shirt Buttons and "My Mama Made It" sewing labels from Kylie and the Machine. I envisioned one of these labels being added to the side seam of my son's shirt for a bespoke detail. Once my order arrived, I washed my fabric and reached for my Grainline Studio Archer Button-Up paper pattern. I used this pat...